Chinese hackers who infiltrated U.S. telecommunications networks have used their deep access to target the phones of President Trump, his running mate JD Vance, and individuals connected to Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
It remains unclear what data, if any, the hackers were able to extract from these devices. Investigators believe the hackers are linked to Chinese intelligence services. A bipartisan group of politicians who were targeted has been notified, the sources said.
The known extent of the attack has significantly expanded as the investigation has progressed. Investigators now believe that the hackers compromised the telecommunications infrastructure of several dozen U.S. companies and individuals. The cyber-espionage campaign, characterized by unusually aggressive tactics, has alarmed both federal and private-sector investigators. The hackers reportedly attempted to re-enter systems even after they had been ejected, sources added.
Earlier this month, investigators discovered that the same hacking group attempted to access an account held by a Wall Street Journal journalist covering the breaches. Microsoft, which has been closely involved in the investigation, notified the journalist of the attempt by the group known as Salt Typhoon. This followed the Journal’s previous reporting on the nature of the attacks.
In a statement, the Trump campaign did not address the reported targeting of Trump and Vance directly but instead criticized the Biden administration for its perceived weakness in handling U.S. adversaries.
The FBI, in a statement released Friday, confirmed it was investigating the “unauthorized access to commercial telecommunications infrastructure” by Chinese actors, marking the U.S. government’s first official acknowledgment of the breach.
Senior Biden administration officials are still grappling with the full extent of the intrusions, with some viewing the situation as potentially catastrophic for national security. The hackers are believed to have targeted systems used for court-authorized surveillance wiretaps, likely seeking to monitor U.S. law enforcement activities.
The phones of high-ranking U.S. politicians are frequent targets of foreign intelligence services, given the potential to access sensitive information, including text messages and phone call records. For Trump and Vance, such data could reveal connections to key associates of the potential next U.S. president and vice president.
Hackers often target journalists to gain insights into their reporting and confidential sources. However, the direct targeting of a journalist involved in covering the hacking campaign is seen as highly unusual and may be an attempt at retaliation or intimidation, according to former intelligence officials.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington has denied any involvement in the alleged breaches.
In response to the growing threat, the White House has held several confidential meetings to assess the damage. The breaches have reportedly affected major telecommunications providers, including Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen.
Verizon spokesman Rich Young acknowledged the attacks, stating, “We are aware that a highly sophisticated nation-state actor has reportedly targeted several U.S. telecommunications providers to gather intelligence.” He added that the company is working with law enforcement and experts to assess and mitigate any impact.
Officials in the Biden administration are considering a range of responses to the attack. Retired Gen. Paul Nakasone, former head of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, remarked earlier this week that the scale of the campaign distinguishes it from previous intelligence-gathering efforts, underscoring its significance for national security.
